SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento nonprofit ACC Senior Services (ACCSV) is celebrating a sweet milestone. The organization, dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors, completed 1,500 walks for its Senior Escort Program since the program's inception in 2022.
The program was created in response to the uptick in anti-Asian hate incidents during the COVID-19 pandemic. ACCSV, along with other community groups, formed the Sacramento Senior Safety Collaborative and the program in hopes to prevent further violence against older adults. Volunteers pair up with participants to join them on walks, grocery trips, appointments and more, all while keeping them safe. Ever since, the program has expanded and continues to serve seniors from all backgrounds.
As someone who was once a caregiver for her grandparents, the milestone is especially meaningful for Remy Tokunaga, the program coordinator.
"I think it's just a real testament to the growth of the program and the need for it in our community," Tokunaga said. "The backbone of our program is our volunteers and how much heart and dedication they give to our program and our seniors."
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Julie Zumalt began volunteering for the Senior Escort Program in late 2022 after retiring from her job as a social worker for 25 years. What started out as volunteering twice a week later evolved into helping out three times a week and sometimes doing two walks a day.
This week, ABC10 caught up with Zumalt as she went on a walk with Susan Kane, a participant with the program since its beginning. The pair shared about the first time they met.
"(Susan) talked about reading and we connected over books. We both love to read. And so there it was, a relationship was formed," Zumalt shared, smiling at Kane.
"Well, you're one of the few people that I tell about the books I read, and it's very nice to be able to share," Kane said, returning the smile with a laugh.
Kane is 81-years-old and has been an insulin dependent diabetic for more than 45 years.
"It doesn't matter which doctor I go to, (they say) 'walk, walk, walk.' And I was not being motivated," Kane said.
She was able to commit to walks through the Senior Escort Program, connecting with various types of people from teenagers to retired people, professionals and nonprofessionals, men and women.
"It has given me a chance to reach out and relate to other stages of life. Yes, I know I'm an old person, but there's more to life," Kane said.
Kane said she's been able to feel connected to her community through the walks. Zumalt said as a volunteer, she's seen the benefits for herself, too.
"The world can get kind of dark, you know, seems lately. And it's just so nice to get out and meet new people and to love and get fresh air and realize there's still a lot of really positive things out in the world," Zumalt said. "It has enriched my life."
Success in the numbers
According to ACCSV, the program has seen great success beyond just its milestone.
In its recent survey of participants, 92% felt less socially isolated and safer since using the program. 92% of participants also felt an improvement with their physical and mental health since the start of the program.
ACCSV is taking extra steps to address mental health in older adults, too. It runs its new PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives for Seniors) program, headed by the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center. The program is designed to reduce symptoms of depression and improve quality of life among older adults, according to its website.
Macy Quan serves as the PEARLS care coordinator and works with participants to plan physical and social activities to help with their overall wellbeing. It's a resource she says is critical, especially among older adults.
"A lot of times there's a stigma around mental health. People don't like the word. And with PEARLS, we try to meet people where they're at," Quan said. "We don't use the word depression if they don't identify with it. It helps them feel more comfortable in discussing what's going on and some of the problems they're having."
Kane also participates in the PEARLS program.
"As an elder, my mental health is more important to me than it ever was before. I want to be as positive and as productive as I possibly can be. If my thinking is not good, the rest of me is not good," Kane said.
For ACCSV, the work doesn't stop there.
Tokunaga shared the nonprofit hopes to continue to expand beyond its current 10-mile radius, reaching areas like Elk Grove where there's a greater need but not as many resources for seniors. It means there's always a need for more volunteers.
If you're interested in helping out with ACCSV's various programs, including the Senior Escort Program, you can click HERE.
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